The straight razor that can't cut test media

[EOU]

We appreciate that you gentlemen are having a look at this. While thousands of edges that measure 10 - 50 BESS have been measured for years without problem, many straight edge sharpeners don't seem to enjoy this success. Undoubtedly, the geometry/sharpening techniques being applied lend themselves to producing very delicate edges. These are edges that won't withstand a few tens of grams force before folding. These sorts of edges may be just what the Dr. ordered for shaving softened whiskers but not for severing BESS test media. That seems clear now. Our advice is simply not to use our instruments for testing straight edge razors unless you feel that you have devised a sharpening means that produces both a sharp and more structurally sound edge. This seems as if it would be quite possible in that Feather DE blades measure around 25 and microtomes measure 10 and we've never heard of a report, nor witnessed ourselves,  either denting or folding during the measurement process with these edges. Measurements of BESS 25 involve applying little more  force than simply touching the edge to the test media.

In the final analysis, we say "if it ain't broke don't fix it". If your straight edge sharpening technique seems to serve the designed purpose well, we wouldn't advise changing it just so that you can use one of instruments to gauge your sharpening success.